Billy Bang: Da Bang! (2013)

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Da Bang! is the last studio album recorded by violinist Billy Bang, made just two months before he passed away on April 11, 2011. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, Bang spoke about the healing power of music during these sessions and how he wanted to give something back to those who inspired and supported him. Considering the bulk of the record consists of covers, this final effort can be interpreted as the innovative violinist's elegy to the artists and music he most loved.

Conceptually centered around the meditative opus "Daydreams," Bang's sole compositional contribution, Da Bang! serves as a notable reminder of the leader's visionary approach. Originally conceived as a solo piece for violin, this rendition is bolstered by minimal accompaniment and introspective musings from Bemkey and Greene. Bang's bracing unaccompanied soliloquy dominates the piece however; with no obvious diminishment in sound or technique he transcends stylistic limitations, seamlessly blending folksy lyricism and neo-classical formalism with bold avant-garde flourishes. His sinuous phrasing and earthy tone remain unmistakable, expressing the same raw expressionism heard in his seminal 1970s efforts with the String Trio of New York

Though certainly not the last addition to Bang's discography (more posthumous releases are forthcoming), Da Bang! is nonetheless a poignant farewell from a singular artist whose creative legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.